Marker for athletic fields



April 26,` 1949.

w.fA. KuoKsA MARKER FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS I Filed Sept'. 12, 1947 INVENToR.

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Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT -GFFICE MARKER FOR ATHLETIC-FIELDS Wesley A. Kuoksa, Grand Rapids, Minn.

Application September 12, 1947, Serial No. 773,716

2 Claims.

My invention relates to markers for athletic fields, and the like, and also to a tool for inserting and removing such markers.

An important Object of the invention is to provide markers which may be used to establish the boundary lines of an athletic eld, such as a football eld; the markers being of a permanent character, which cannot be obliterated by rain, l

or by being stepped on.

A further object is to provide a marker for athletic fields, which is designed to prevent injury to the players who may fall upon the same.

A further object is to provide markers which are inserted into the ground, and to provide means in the form of a tool to insert and remove the markers with a minimum of diiiiculty.

A still further object is to provide markers capable of forming a distinct visible line or boundary, said markers as well as the tool employed to insert and rem-ove them lbeing of simple and inexpensive design.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a plan view of a marker before the same is inserted into the ground,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 2--2 of Figure 1, and illustrating the position of the bottom end of an inserting tool, before the same drives the marker into the soil,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a marker inserting and removing tool, and marker, and showing the same in their relative positions after the marker is inserted into the soil, but before the tool is removed, and

Figure 4 is a view showing markers which have been driven into the soil, and form part of a boundary line.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral B designates the surface of an athletic field, or the like, having grass I growing thereon. The numeral 8, in Figure 4, designates markers which have been inserted or driven into the soil, and have their tops substantially flush with the top of the grass, to form a boundary line, or the like, upon the field. The markers may be placed about one foot apart, or asidesired.

Each marker 8 includes a conical pointed foot or base 9, formed of any suitable material such as wood or hard rubber. The top flat surface I0 of the base 9 has disposed upon it the. inner ends of a plurality of spaced radial flexible strips or tapes II, preferably formed of soft white rubber. Each radial strip II is preferably about ten inches in length from the base v3. The strips I I are preferably joined or integral at their inner ends, to form a central portion or disc I2. A flat washer I3 is mounted upon the central portion I2 of the strips, and is secured in place, in tight clamping engagement upon the strips by means of an eye screw I4. The washer and central portion I3 are provided with center openings to receive the eye screw I4. When the markers are inserted in the soil, the strips II assume their positions shown in Figure 4, and the portions of the strips which extend above the surface 6 have enough rigidity to stand upright, and provide the necessary white spot, forming a part of the field boundary line.

A tool I5 for inserting and removing the markers 8 is provided. This tool includes a vertical tubular cylindrical member or bar I6, open at its bottom end, to engage over the washer I3 and eye screw I4, as best shown in Figure 2. The top of the bar I6 carries a hook I'I, to engage in the eye screw I4 for pulling the markers 8 out of the ground. A combined foot bar and handle I8 is provided near the bottom end of the bar I6, and this foot bar is at right angles to the bar I6.

When the tool I5 is used to insert a marker 8, the bottom end of the bar I6 is placed over the Washer I3 and eye screw, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The strips II are beneath the lower edge of the tool and rest upon the surface of the ground. The tool is pressed downwardly by placing a foot upon the bar I8 and guiding the bar 1'6 with the hands. When the bar I8 engages the ground surface 6, the markers are inserted to the proper depth, and the tool I5 is removed.

If it is desired to remove the markers from the ground, the bar I8 is used as a handle and the top of the bar I6, carrying the hook I1 is inserted between the upstanding strips II. The hook II is engaged into the eye screw I4, and the marker may be readily pulled up.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus' described the invention, what I 'claim is:

1. A marker for athletic elds, comprising a, base, adapted for insertion into the soil, substantially flexible strips mounted upon the base and adapted to assure upright positions when inserted into the soil, and means to attach the strips to the base.

2. A marker for athletic fields, comprising a pointed base to be inserted into the soil, substantially exible radial strips disposed upon the base, a. Washer mounted upon the strips above the base, and an eye member connected with the base and serving to clamp the washer upon the strips.

WESLEY A. KUOKSA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nam'e Date 1,583,409 Marquart May 4, 1926 2,374,406 Bezzerides Apr. 24, 1945 10 2,385,878 Nicolello Oct. 2, 1945 2,432,650 Bezzerides Dec. 16. 1947 

